Body Styles

The Subaru Ascent is a midsize, three-row crossover SUV with traditional proportions, a high seating position, and generous ground clearance (8.7 inches / 221 mm). It features a bold hexagonal grille, C-shaped LED headlights, squared fenders, and a functional roofline that maximizes cabin space. The profile emphasizes utility and family comfort over sportiness, with wide-opening rear doors, integrated roof rails, and a tailgate designed for easy cargo access.

Though designed for rugged practicality, the Ascent incorporates aerodynamic lines, subtle chrome accents, and optional two-tone wheels, lending it a touch of visual sophistication. It’s available in 7- and 8-passenger configurations, with a layout focused on comfort, space, and usability for families and long-distance driving.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name "Ascent" was chosen by Subaru to symbolize growth, elevation, and ambition, perfectly reflecting the vehicle’s role as the brand’s largest and most capable SUV. Introduced in 2019, the Ascent marked Subaru’s return to the three-row SUV segment after the discontinuation of the Tribeca. With its name, Subaru aimed to communicate a sense of upward movement — both literally and metaphorically — emphasizing not only the vehicle’s physical size and seating capacity but also its family-oriented, adventure-ready nature.

The term "Ascent" evokes imagery of climbing, progress, and reaching new heights, aligning with Subaru’s core identity rooted in all-wheel drive performance, rugged utility, and outdoor exploration. It also resonates with the lifestyle of Subaru’s target customers — active families and adventure-seekers looking to "ascend" into new experiences together. By selecting a name that conveys strength, elevation, and aspiration, Subaru positioned the Ascent as the pinnacle of its SUV lineup, offering both the space and confidence needed for larger journeys.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Ascent” is a real word that clearly suggests rising up, both literally (elevation) and metaphorically (status, growth). It reinforces Subaru’s branding for those seeking a dependable, spacious SUV for family adventures and harsh conditions, while maintaining a subtle aspirational tone.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Subaru Ascent features a practical yet refined palette of body and interior colors, carefully selected to resonate with families and adventure-seekers who value both function and style. Its exterior color lineup balances neutral, versatile tones with deeper, expressive finishes. Core colors include Crystal White Pearl, Magnetite Gray Metallic, and Crystal Black Silica, which underscore the vehicle’s confident, understated presence. More expressive hues like Abyss Blue Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, and Autumn Green Metallic add personality and warmth, while the introduction of Cosmic Blue Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic brings a modern, sleek aesthetic. Subaru’s signature pearl and metallic finishes offer depth and subtle shimmer, enhancing the Ascent’s broad-shouldered stance and flowing bodywork.

Inside, the Ascent offers a variety of interior themes designed to match its family-first, premium-utility mission. Base models feature Slate Black cloth upholstery, while mid-trim options introduce Warm Ivory and Java Brown in high-quality materials. Higher trims such as the Limited and Touring offer leather-trimmed upholstery in hues like Slate Black or Java Brown, complemented by soft-touch surfaces, contrasting stitching, and brushed accents. The Touring trim further elevates the experience with upgraded leather, woodgrain-patterned trim, and exclusive interior color schemes that suggest a more upscale ambiance while preserving Subaru’s pragmatic approach to comfort and durability.

Wheel designs on the Ascent reflect a balanced focus on rugged performance and refined aesthetics. Standard models are equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke or five-spoke design with a silver finish, projecting a clean and capable look. Premium and Limited trims offer 20-inch alloy wheels with machine-finished or gray-painted accents that give the Ascent a more dynamic road presence. The Touring trim adds subtle design variations with darkened finishes or two-tone accents, reinforcing its flagship status. Across all trims, the wheels are designed not just for visual appeal but for strength and performance, supporting the Ascent’s all-wheel-drive capability and trail-readiness.

Together, the Ascent’s exterior and interior color choices, along with its well-balanced wheel designs, emphasize Subaru’s signature blend of adventure-readiness, family utility, and understated sophistication.

Top Expensive Options

• Touring Package (Java Brown Leather, 360° Camera, Ventilated Seats): $3,000
• Harman Kardon 14-Speaker Audio System with Subwoofer: $900
• Panoramic Power Moonroof with Sunshade: Standard (Limited+)
• StarTex Water-Repellent Upholstery (Onyx Edition): Standard
• Second-Row Captain’s Chairs with Rear Armrest Console: $400
• 11.6" STARLINK Multimedia Display with Navigation: $1,200
• Subaru DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System: Standard (Limited+)
• Heated/Ventilated Front Seats + Heated Second Row: $800
• Smart Rear-View Mirror with Integrated Camera Feed: $500
• Trailer Hitch and Towing Package with Wiring Harness: $600

vs Competitors

The Ascent competes with the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, and Volkswagen Atlas. Compared to these, the Ascent offers standard AWD across all trims, which is a key advantage in colder climates. While it doesn’t have the luxury polish of the Palisade or Telluride, it counters with rugged credibility, superior ground clearance, and simpler long-term reliability. It offers more standard safety tech than the Explorer and better cabin layout than the Highlander. Its turbo flat-four may not sound sporty, but it delivers efficient torque, real-world performance, and towing muscle, making the Ascent a compelling choice for families who prioritize safety, space, and year-round capability.

Fun Fact

The Subaru Ascent is the largest Subaru ever built, and it’s made exclusively in the U.S. at Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant. Its platform is based on Subaru’s Global Architecture, which it shares with the Outback and Forester — but heavily stretched. The Ascent was developed in direct response to the North American market’s demand for a true three-row Subaru, after the smaller Tribeca was discontinued. It also holds the distinction of being one of the only turbocharged midsize SUVs in its class with AWD as standard, making it a favorite among mountain-town and snow-belt families.